A farm worker has drowned in mud trying to clear a flooded ditch in Aberdeenshire.

Gary Coutts, 32, died at Mains of Annochie farm near Auchnagatt on Thursday afternoon.

Police were called to the scene and the Health and Safety Executive is investigating.

Mains of Annochie farm partner Carol Wilson said: "Our whole family is devastated by what's happened and I don't think any words can describe how the family feels."

Mr Coutts, who had worked on the farm for two years, was described as "very confident and hard-working".

A Police Scotland spokeswoman said: "We were called to a report of a man injured in farmland at about 1.15pm on Thursday.

"Inquiries are under way and further details will be released when known."